Gout is an inflammatory joint disorder characterized by hyperuricaemia and precipitation of
monosodium urate crystals in the joints. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of
trikatu, a herbal compound in
monosodium urate crystal-induced
inflammation in rats, an experimental model for acute
gouty arthritis. Paw volume and levels/activities of lysosomal
enzymes, lipid peroxidation,
anti-oxidant status and histopathological examination of ankle joints were determined in control and
monosodium urate crystal-induced rats. In addition,
analgesic (
acetic acid-induced writhing response), anti-pyretic (yeast-induced
pyrexia) and gastric ulceration effects were tested. The levels of lysosomal
enzymes, lipid peroxidation and paw volume were significantly increased, and
anti-oxidant status was found to be reduced in
monosodium urate crystal-induced rats, whereas the biochemical changes were reverted to near normal levels upon
trikatu (1000 mg/kg b.wt) administration. The
trikatu has also been found to exhibit significant
analgesic and anti-pyretic effects with the absence of gastric damage. In conclusion, the present results clearly indicated that
trikatu exert a potent anti-inflammatory effect against
monosodium urate crystal-induced
inflammation in rats in association with
analgesic and anti-pyretic effects in the absence of gastrointestinal damage.